The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature
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Proverbs: collection 24

unknown no. of lines missing
24.1

1. 1 line fragmentary

24.2

2-3. (cf. 6.1.09.a12-13, 6.1.19.b1-2, 6.1.21.b4-5, 6.2.5: YBC 4677 ll. 1-4) When a fattened pig is about to be slaughtered, one says "I must replace what I eat." As the piglet snuffles around, it says I can no longer take pleasure in eating.

24.3

4-5. (cf. 6.1.02.135, 6.1.19.b4) He who annihilates a house destroys silver. He who destroys a house destroys gold.

24.4

6-7. (cf. 6.1.09.a14, 6.1.19.b5) The lord's wife kneels, the slave girl dies. The lord kneels, the slave dies.

24.5

8. (cf. 6.1.03.71, 6.1.11.19, 6.1.19.b6) ...... its hands ...... to the edge of the desert.

24.6

9-10. There will be losses ....... It will be done .......

24.7

11. (cf. 6.1.03.88, 6.1.18.14) He who tosses his head succeeds in crossing the river.

24.8

12-14. (cf. 6.1.19.c7, 6.1.21.c1, 6.1.23.18) A man's waterskin is his life. A man's sandals are his eyes. A man's wife is his supervisor (?). A man's son is his protective shade. A man's daughter is his eager servant (?). A man's daughter-in-law is his policeman.

24.9

15. (cf. 6.1.03.26, 6.1.19.c2) When the sun is setting outside so that you cannot see a hand in front of you, go inside!

24.10

16. (cf. 6.1.21.c4) I would make the beer sweet but my neighbour would not appreciate it.

24.11

17-23. (cf. 6.1.21.c5; edited separately as 6.3.b The fowler and his wife) unknown no. of lines missing



Revision history

10.x.2001-16.xii.2002: JT, editor: adapting translation
26.iii.2002: JAB, editor: proofreading
16.xii.2002: GC, editor: SGML tagging